Endothelial progenitor cells and their potential therapeutic applications.
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are derived from the bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB), contributing to tissue repair in various pathological conditions via the formation of new blood vessels, that is, neovascularization. EPCs can be mobilized into the circulation in response to growth factors and cytokines released following stimuli such as vascular trauma, wounding and cancer. EPCs are involved in vasculogenesis during embryogenesis, but are now recognized to have a significant bearing upon disease outcome through their contribution to neovascularization in a variety of pathological states in adulthood. EPCs exist in very small numbers, especially in circulating blood in adults where they only account for 0.01% of all cells. We discuss the contribution and potential therapeutic applications of EPCs in disease, also noting the prognostic value of PB EPC numbers, especially in heart disease and cancer.
Khoo
Cheen P
CP
ICMS, Centre for Diabetes & Metabolic Medicine (DMM), Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E12AT, UK. c.p.khoo@qmul.ac.uk
Pozzilli
Paolo
P
Alison
Malcolm R
MR
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*